The Roy family are the focal point of Succession, as the owners of Waystar Royco.
Background[]
Logan Roy was born into abject poverty in Dundee, Scotland, to Helen Roy and her unnamed husband sometime in the mid-to-late 1930s, just before World War II. His older brother, Ewan, was born a year and a half earlier. Their younger sister, Rose, was born when Logan and Ewan were three and four years old. Shortly thereafter, their father died of a brain hemorrhage.[1] During the war, Logan and Ewan—then aged four and five, respectively—were sent to live with their uncle Noah in Quebec, Canada. While en route to Canada, their ship was left adrift for two days and three nights after its engine failed. They were told that if they spoke, moved, or even coughed, the ship would implode, leaving the children to speak "with only their eyes."[2] Once they arrived, Ewan began working on Noah's ranch, and Logan was sent to boarding school.[1]
Rose was then sent to Canada as well; however, she soon she died of polio. Having recently returned from boarding school with the illness, Logan blamed himself for her death. Ewan, however, insists that it wasn't his fault.[2]
Roy children in a home video
After moving to the United States, Logan married his first wife, with whom he had a son, Connor. He later had his wife sent to the "loony bin," isolating her from the Roy family.[3] After their divorce, Logan married the British aristocrat Caroline Collingwood and moved to England. They had three children: Kendall, Roman, and Siobhan, in that order. After Logan and Caroline divorced, Shiv moved to America, her brothers following closely behind. Logan then moved back to America as well.[source needed] Logan then married Maria, his third and final wife.
It's heavily implied that Logan had been abusive to his children in their youth, Roman likely being subject to more extreme physical abuse. Connor recalls having gone years during his childhood without even seeing Logan.[4]
Profiles[]
Logan[]
Logan Roy
Logan Roy, the co-founder and former CEO of media conglomerate Waystar Royco, was a volatile, bullish, and egocentric self-made man. He took great pleasure in manipulating and berating those he viewed as an "opponent." Logan remained loyal to a patriarchal and conservative lifestyle, and refused to admit his faults or weaknesses even when his health was on the line. He had three children, Kendall, Roman, and Siobhan "Shiv" Roy, with his second wife, Caroline Collingwood, and one son, Connor Roy, with his former wife—none of whom were spared from his wrath. His third and final wife was Marcia Roy.
Ewan[]
Ewan Roy
Ewan Roy is the older brother of Logan, and is his moral, political, and theological opposite; despite this, Ewan refuses to work against Logan, and frequently displays an undying love for his brother. Ewan prefers to distance himself from the family company, and instead owns, operates, and resides at a ranch in Canada. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he is staunchly anti-capitalist and pro-environment. He is the grandfather of Greg Hirsch, but shows no affection to his grandchildren by Logan.
Connor[]
Connor Roy
Connor Roy, the eldest son of Logan, boasts a milder, more amiable persona than his siblings, while maintaining a rich-boy loftiness and ignorance. Connor has always felt particularly ostracized by his family, and prefers to avoid the drama by residing at a ranch in New Mexico with his younger partner, Willa. Growing insecure about his status, he attempts to create a name for himself by pursuing a career in politics—though he may be in way over his head.
Kendall[]
Kendall Roy
Kendall Roy, the second-eldest son of Logan, has spent his life grooming himself to be the company heir, though Logan isn't yet convinced of his potential. With a love of hip-hop music, trendy fashion and "fresh" sneakers, Kendall attempts to stay hip and young. He appears to be confident and assertive, but is riddled with anxiety and self-doubt at his core, often abusing substances and engaging in erratic behavior to ease his mind. He juggles both resentment towards and adoration of his father, resulting in many attempts to undermine him. He has two children with his estranged wife, Rava.
Roman[]
Roman Roy
Roman Roy is the brash, sarcastic, and scrappy third-eldest son of Logan. He thrives on humiliation, both his own and that of others. He frequently belittles and is crude to those beneath him, having no regard for the consequences of his actions. As a child, Roman was viewed by his father as "the weaker dog," and now harbors a deep insecurity that permeates both his professional and sexual lives, manifesting into an immaturity that may cost him a seat at the big kids' table.
Shiv[]
Shiv Roy
As the youngest child and only daughter of Logan, Siobhan "Shiv" Roy finds herself in the shadow of her equally power-hungry brothers after abandoning her career in left-wing politics. Shiv is the more intelligent, savvy, and laid-back of her siblings, having an emotional maturity that her brothers lack; however, her father views her as a rather damaged and conflicted woman, often taking advantage of her desire to please him. She is married to Tom Wambsgans, but her infidelity as well as his servility compromise their relationship.
Greg[]
Greg Hirsch
Gregory Hirsch, the son of Marianne Hirsch, is introduced as a bumbling, nervous young man who's recently become unemployed. Greg ingratiates himself with the Roy family, from which he'd previously been isolated, and initially feels uncomfortable with this new lifestyle; however as time progresses, so does his vulgarity and knack for deception and blackmail when dealing with family, coworkers, and prospective girlfriends. Being among the outsiders of the family, Greg finds a confidant and business partner in Tom Wambsgans.